Fort Myers, Fla. — Star slugger J.D. Martinez went 0-for-2 in his spring training debut for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, just three weeks before opening day.

“He’s not behind at all,” new Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

Although Martinez, a former Tiger, will be Boston’s primary designated hitter, he also is expected to get time in the field. With the Red Sox playing split-squad games, he played left field and batted cleanup.

Facing Twins right-hander Jake Odorizzi, Martinez twice flied out.

“Seeing the ball, just going up there and trying to slow the ball down as best as I can, and swing at strikes,” Martinez said. “Really, that’s all I was really worried about, just get a pitch over the plate and put a good swing on it.”

“It felt good. It was fun. You don’t realize how much you miss something until you can’t do it and you haven’t been able to do it for a while. So it was fun to get out there,” he said.

The AL East champion Red Sox announced Feb. 26 they had signed Martinez to a $110 million, five-year deal. The 30-year-old hit a combined .303 with 45 home runs and 104 RBIs last season in just 119 games with Detroit and Arizona.

In his first game for Boston, Martinez hit behind Hanley Ramirez, who was serving as the DH.

It’s a combination the Red Sox hope will add punch to a lineup that finished last in the American League with 168 home runs last season.

“He was designated for assignment four years ago (by the Astros, at the end of spring training in 2014), and now he’s going to hit in the middle of the lineup for the Boston Red Sox, with a team that has a chance to win the World Series,” Cora said.

“There’s no coincidence that he’s been successful the last few years because he found it and he keeps working on it,” he said.

Martinez said he typically likes to get 60 to 80 at-bats in the spring, including Grapefruit League and minor-league games, to prepare for the season.

Despite the delayed start to Martinez’s spring, Cora said he believes the big hitter is right on pace for the season opener March 29 at Tampa Bay.

“It’s a spring training game, so he needs his reps,” Cora said. “But to see him out there, actually to see him around, spend time with him, it’s a lot different than the last week.”

“We’ve been on the road so much since he signed we haven’t been able to connect. So to have him in the lineup, have him in the dugout, that’s good, not only for me but for everybody,” he said.

Martinez knows there are big hopes for him, but he’s not letting that affect him.

“I feel like you guys have the expectations, the fans and the media,” he said. “Really, I’m just going to go out there and play my game and do what I’ve been doing for the last four or five years.”

“As far as the pressure and stuff goes, I’m just going to try to go out there and play my game. Obviously, ignore it, stuff like that. Obviously, playing in Boston, it’s a big market, so there’s going to be a lot more, but I think it’ll be a good test of handling it,” he said.

Suzuki, Mariners agree

Ichiro Suzuki’s wish was granted. He is back in the familiar white and blue jersey of the Mariners.

“Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home … has always been my home,” the 44-year-old outfielder said through a translator after finalizing a $750,000, one-year contract. “Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again.”

Almost six years away, Suzuki returned to help patch an injury-depleted outfield on the team he played for from 2001-12. The 10-time All-Star can earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $200,000 each for 150 and each additional 50 through 350, and $250,000 for 400.

Personnel dept.

Shortstop Paul DeJong and the Cardinals agreed to a $26 million, six-year contract, a deal that includes team options for 2024 and 2025.